Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Meet Writer-Artist Susan Mordigal...

Welcome to the second installment of 'Authors Blog Tour' featuring new, old, published and unpublished writers of fiction and non-fiction. The writers featured are professional writers/authors with many years behind the pen...ur, keyboard. Today, we've pushed the envelope with the offering of Susan Mordigal, pro-writer and artist extraordinaire. Please take a moment AFTER reading this interview to visit her site. She's good...so if interested in her work, please contact her through her blog. Let's begin, shall we...

So you’re a writer...what do you write about?
I am still a ‘student’ of picture books, meaning I’m still studying the ins and outs and the craft of writing a book for this very young audience. I have however written many short stories for young people and articles about pets, pet therapy and medical issues.
Are you currently involved in a writing project? Elaborate.
Yes, I am working on writing and illustrating a picture book about our rescue dog – his story of how he came to us. We are a certified pet therapy team and I also plan to write and illustrate a picture book about our adventures in this rewarding cause.
How do you combat times when you’re uninspired?
Luckily this has never been a problem for me, for writing or illustrating. I literally see inspiration everywhere. I seem to have the opposite problem –too many ideas! I have a sort of ADD I guess. I’ll get a great idea, work with it, then I’ll get another one, start it up, then something else inspiring will come along, etc. etc. It’s sort of like people who have endless craft projects or home improvements in the works. I try very hard to stay focused, but sometimes it’s a challenge, my biggest enemy is not enough time!
What interests you about this specific genre?
I have a passion for helping others and for animals in need. I found pet therapy to be the perfect mix of these two, everyone wins! In the future, I also plan on broadening my subject matter to wildlife, and children and their loved ones coping with illnesses.
When can we expect to see your book?
My deadline has to be flexible because of the circumstances in my life right now, but I’m hoping to have a book ‘dummy’ completely ready to send to publishers no later than two years from now. I am also keeping the door open for self-publishing.
Where can reader sample some of your writing?
On my blog there are several articles under the category ‘articles’.
Do you blog about your book?
I blog about the fact that the book is in the works, but do not share any specific passages or illustrations from the book. I try hard to showcase good artwork and interesting topics on my blog – people seem to like it and I’ve made some wonderful friends!

Susan, Thank You. My readers always appreciate a writer with a great 'read' and also one who tantalizes us with a interesting future work. We look forward to your offerings. Please come back and don't forget to answer any questions readers have of you. Again, thanks. --gg


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Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 5:00 AM
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1 comment:

  1. SusanMarch 24, 2010 at 10:58 AM

    Thanks for this opportunity Garry, I'll check in again later.

    ReplyDelete

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What are "The 5 Most Important--But Fleeting Virtures?"

Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Compassion and Humility.

.....this is a portion of the "introduction" or prologue to the book (not yet completed)...email with your comments.

The books title; Character Happens! The 5 Most Important—But Fleeting Virtues, describes my belief these five important virtues (Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Compassion, Humility), are sporadic in use and diminishing in personal character. The books message is in recognizing this “fleeting” nature and from that reinstitute a more virtuous choice in your decision making.

The paradox of the two words; Character Happens, with another two words: “S### Happens”* (decorum prevents use of actual word) is not without merit. My belief is that observed human character is much like, well...s###! This kind of observation can be disconcerting at times. So confusing that society can hardly make the distinction between the two words and there obvious different meaning. Individuals make virtuous and un-virtuous choices/decisions for innumerable reasons, both consciously and without deep thought. If we postulate; can an individual make a 'more' virtuous choice in life’s decisions should they want to do so? Answer—perhaps. How does one 'reinstitute a more virtuous choice' into their personal makeup...making the response more automatic? Answer—practice. With a concerted effort at 'practice' I believe...an individual might just develop a more 'repetitive' decent response...much like grooving a golf swing.

I love golf. I think the game is like no other. The five stories that make up Character Happens! have a golf storyline. Some readers may not be able to relate to the game of golf or its vernacular or for that matter, why people...a large number of people...love golf. Too bad! You should try it sometime...because it’s more than a game...it can be a life experience. The golf course environment alone is enough to put most people at ease.

Golf is a game played by the individual as opposed to being a member of a team, like baseball. Baseball has umpires who enforce the rules of the game. In golf you are the umpire. Because of this unique method of enforcing the games rules—golf is a “hotbed” for testing the players character...their honesty, their integrity, their courage and sometimes their compassion. And, because all golfers started from knowing nothing about the game; like how to swing, how to putt or chip... they also learn of humility. Now doesn’t it make perfect sense that a book about character would juxtaposition a storyline with the game of golf? Anyway, I thought so.

There are five stories, one for each virtue. The book has six main characters that make up a group of what I call 'golf buddies.' The storyteller, Spencer Madison, in reality is me. Well, somewhat like me...as I have a better golf game than Spencer. The five others vary in age, gender, education, religious beliefs and definitely personality. The 'binder' of the group or what brings them together; golf.

The reader will hopefully discover in their own lives a similar incident with one of the story’s in Character Happens! If not, that’s okay too...as the stories are earnest while humorous, carefree yet compelling. And, I believe each chapter or story makes a 'point' in this wonderful, wacky, dynamic world in the 21st century.

The stories are fictional as are the characters. Names, personalities or incidents are fictional and in no way resemble or refer to a living person. I’ve used paraphrasing of many authors’ ideas and concepts and have referenced them in a special section. Because of these references and the specific genre where the book is to be found, it’s categorized as a non-fictional, personal development book.


*...sorry for the language but this word best describes the thought I want to convey. In Forrest Gump the term was used to describe situations that happen to all people for no particular reason.